One year ago on March 8, 2010 Lungile Nxumalo died as a result of tuberculosis and HIV that had been assailing her body mercilessly for almost two years. She breathed her last breath in a small, one-room, cement home with three barred windows and white walls. Lungile was my friend and my sister. I can't say that we knew one another incredibly well, or even that we had much in common, but I can say that I loved her deeply with a love that can only be found through Jesus Christ.

                A year ago I wrote a blog that explained how I impacted her life, but now I want you to know how she has impacted mine. (Don't know the story? Read "A Fulfilled Purpose" at http://calieflynn.myadventures.org/?filename=a-fulfilled-purpose )

                There are many things that can't be learnt from books or lectures. Things that require experience and that need to be seen, felt, and heard to be understood. This is what I experienced with Lungile: pain, strength, laughter, fear, sickness, vulnerability, peace, and above all else love.

                When I first saw Lungile I saw a thin, weak, and timid woman who didn't appear to want much to do with me or my teammate Billy. There Billy and I were, two young and clueless Americans trying to talk to this woman as she laid in her bed scowling at us. For reasons that are beyond me, we decided to sing one of the few songs we had learnt in SiSwati. There was an immediate change in Lungile's expression and a huge smile burst across her face as she began clapping and singing with us. We shared many smiles, stories, and songs in the next weeks as we grew closer.

                But for each moment of joy and happiness there were moments of paranoia, anger, and fear. Lungile was very sick, and we could clearly see that there was a spiritual battle taking place in her mind as more and more lies began to slip in.

                Lungile challenged me. Never before had I seen such suffering or was I in such a high supportive roll. When Billy and I entered Lungile's room, we entered alone. There were no leaders or even basic instructions on how to process what we were seeing, yet alone how to be there for Lungile. We just went for it and prayed for God's wisdom and anointing.

                It is clear that God used Lungile to impact my life. God helped me to see how to love people, even when it's hard. He reminded me that I am strong when He is my foundation and that I can do all things through Him. I learnt that no matter the circumstances, God is good and He is worthy of all praise!

                Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks or righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

                This is my calling: to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness the prisoners. Very few 19-year-olds can tell you what they want to do with their lives. Although I am not completely sure how I will get there, I know that my future will be filled with continued service to the Lord and I look forward to grow and serve in His name.

                Take a moment and look back at your life. Remember the hard times, when you were challenged and broken. How has God worked through those circumstances for your good? What will you do with the lessons you have learnt?

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.